Sequence identification apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for providing visual sequence identification information comprising a base plate having a window therein and at least one strip of flexible material on which is printed a sequenced series of identification characters for presentation through the image window in consecutive order. A manually operated embodiment includes an operating plate member, overlying the strip, and having an aperture therein through which the strip may be contacted for manipulation thereof. In a mechanized embodiment the strip is a continuous belt driven by a drive shaft. For a plurality of belts an index assembly engageable by the first belt drives adjacent belts on predetermined movement of the first belt.

United States Patent 1191 Tarrant 1 1 Sept. 18, 1973 SEQUENCE IDENTIFICATION APPARATUS FOREIGN PATENTS 0R APPLICATIONS 1 Invent! Donald Tami", 3703 606,297 3/1926 France 35/75 woodvalley, Houston, 77025 924,593 3/1955 Germany 35/76 [22] Filed: Oct. 12, 1970 Primary Examiner-Robert W. Michell [21] Appl' 8o032 Assistant Examiner-J. H. Wolff Att0rneyCarlos A. Torres [52] [1.8. CI. 40/64 R, 35/7 R, 35/75 [51] Int. Cl. G09f 11/30 57 ABSTRACT [58] Field of Search 40/64, 65, 109, 116,

40/1, 86; 35/2, 7 75 76, 15 Apparatus for prov dmg visual sequence dentlficauon mformatlon comprlsing a base plate having a window [56] References Cited threregn and at (lieast one strip of flexibfle material on w ie is printe a sequenced series 0 identi ication UNITED STATES PATENTS characters for presentation through the image window Cooper in onsecutive order A manually operated embodi- Sa 533 ment includes an operating plate member, overlying 320O5l7 8/1965 fg i j l' 5 H the strip, and having an aperture therein through which 8/1885 Kletzker 40/109 the str1p may be contacted for manipulanon thereof. In 277OI9OO 11/1956 Smith h 40/65 a mechanized embodiment the strip is a continuous belt 56,674 7/1966 m 101/112 driven by a drive shaft. For a plurality of belts an index 25,73 4 972 Chamberlain 0 0 assembly engageable by the first belt drives adjacent 989,860 4/1911 Meisel 101/85 belts on predetermined movement of the first belt. 2,884,853 5/1959 Cantoni lOl/l l2 I 3,110,249 11/1963 Dolman 101 79 3 Chums, 12 Flgul'es Pmmmsw 3.758.971

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Donald R. Tar/ant /N VEN TOR Quin-a A. Tum

ATTORNEY Pmmmsmama 3,758,971

sum 2 or 4 Donald R. Torrent INVENTOR Cuba/A- TM/LMJ ATTORNEY PATENTED8EP18|9T5 3358.911

sum 3 or 4 Donald R. Tarranz INVENTOR ATTORNEY PATENTED SEP 18 I973 SHEEI t (If 4 /N VE N TOR Donald R. Torrent A TTORNE Y 1 SEQUENCE IDENTIFICATION APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is related to copy operations. In particular, it concerns apparatus for readily providing sequence identification images for marking copy which is to be reproduced in quantity.

2. Description of the Prior Art In this complex world of paper work, copying machines have become standard equipment in many offices, warehouses, manufacturing operations, etc. Frequently, it is desirable to reproduce, in large quantities,

an' original with printed or written subject matter thereon. For many applications, it is desirable to provide a different identification marking on each copy, for example, marking of cartons, bins, isles, etc., in warehouses, parts departments and store rooms. The shipping industry uses identification tags on shipping containers which correspond with Bill of Lading identification. The manufacturing industry requires number identification of components, lots, runs, etc. There are, of course, many other examples of such applications.

Cost, supply difficulties, inventory problems, slow operation, etc., have restricted the use of any type of reproducible sequence identification system, particularly number or letter systems. Colors, graphic forms, etc., have been substituted for number and letter systems in an effort to overcome some of the difficulties involved. However, numeral and letter identification is much preferred.

The need for a reproducible number and letter sequence identification system is keenly felt in this business world. Due to the pressure of speed in all phases of todays business, such a system would find immediate acceptance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention presents a solution to the need for number and letter sequence identification images suitable for reproduction by copy machines. A plurality of movable strips on which sequenced identification is printed are mounted for movement through the window of a base plate, suitable for placing over the exposure area of a copy machine.

In a manually operated embodiment, another plate may be mounted over the strips and provided with elongated apertures through which an instrument, such as a pencil eraser, may be inserted for contact with the strips. The movement of the pencil eraser advances the strip from one identification character to a consecutive one in a series.

In a mechanized embodiment of the invention, the strips are in the form of belts. The first belt may be driven by a drive shaft coupled to a power source coordinated with the printing cycle of the copy machine with which it is used. The drive shaft advances the first belt through its series. The first belt is engageable with an index assembly which in turn is engageable with the second belt to advance the second belt one consecutive character on movement of the first belt through its entire series. The second belt drives the third belt through the index assembly in a similar manner and so on for all of the belts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, reference will be made to the accom panying drawings, but they are only exemplary of the invention which can be varied by one skilled in the art.

In the drawings:

FIG. I is a plan view ofa manually operated embodiment of the invention as viewed from the image base side;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 as viewed from the opposite or operating base side;

FIG. 2a is a detailed vertical section, operating base side up, of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view ofa mechanized embodiment of the invention shown in place for use with a copy machine;

FIGS. 4 and 4a are perspective views of various operating components of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view similar to the view shown in FIG. 3, but with portions of the frame and belts broken away to more clearly show the assembly thereof; and

FIGS. 6a-6e are cross-sectional views of a portion of the index assembly of the embodiment of FIGS. 3-5 showing step-by-step operation thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring first to FIGS. 1, 2 and 2a, a manually operated embodiment of the invention will be described. It comprises an operator base 10, an image base 20 and a plurality of copy strips 30. The operator base 10 and image base 20 are flat sheets or plates of a durable, smooth flexible material such as poster board. They may be of any size and shape. However, for use with most copy machines it has been found thatn an 8 h inches X 14 inches rectangular shape is desirable. The plates may be joined together in any manner so as to provide an available space therebetween. Glueing the plates together along one edge has been found to be ac ceptable. It is preferred that the image base and the operator base both be white in color.

The copy strips 30 are individual strips of a thin, durable, smooth, flexible material with body, such as plastic. They may be either transparent or opaque. Their widths and lengths are dependent on the size and number of identification characters to be printed thereon. For illustration purposes, the identification characters are shown as consecutive numerals 0" through 9." These numerals are printed on the image side of the strip. If the strips 30 are of an opaque material, corresponding characters should be printed on the reverse or operator side of the strips. Line up indicia 31 are printed at the top of the first numeral, equidistant between each numeral and at the bottom of the last numeral.

The operator base 10 is die cut with a first row of threading slits 11 and a second row of threading slits 12 on opposite sides of a row of elongated operating apertures l3. Alternating slits 11 and 12 may be staggered so as to allow side by side installations of copy strips 30 without the possibility of overlapping, as would be the case if the slits were placed end-to-end to form one continuous slit. Line up indicia 14 to cooperate with strip line up indicia 31, as more fully understood hereafter, are printed adjacent apertures 13.

The image base 20 is die cut with a pair of horizontal slots 21, 22 slightly exceeding the total width of copy strips 30. The space between slots 21, 22 could be removed to leave a single window of a width exceeding the height of the copy strip characters. However, the slot arrangement is felt of be better. Both arrangements, whether slots 21, 22 or a full opening window, are contemplated herein and will be sometimes referred to hereafter as the image window." Slits 23, 24 may be cut in image base 20 on either side of image window 21, 22 to hold repeat image copy. The position of these slits 23, 24 is arbitrary.

Copy strips 30 may be assembled with operator base and image base 20 by threading one end into and through the first row of slits 11, into and through slot 21, into and through slot 22, into and through the second row of slits 12. Except for the area exposed between slots 21 and 22, copy strips 30 are sandwiched between plates 10 and 20 from one row of slits 11 to the other row of slits 12. Of course, if slots 21, 22 were replaced by a single window, strips 30 would not be fed therethrough, but would be visible therein. Taping or crimping the ends 34 of copy strips 30 would prevent accidental removal after threading is complete.

To operate the manual embodiment of the invention just described, it would be placed, image base 20 down, over the lens area of a copy ,machine with the repeat image copy or original, as it might be called, placed in one or both of the areas on either side of the image window. The copy strips 30 would be manipulated from the operator base side 10 to provide the desired identification image copy in the image window (the number 34354 in the illustrated position). Manipulation of a strip 30 may be accomplished by placing the eraser end ofa pencil at one end of an aperture 13, corresponding with the strip to be moved, and with slight pressure moving the eraser to the opposite end of the aperture 13. This moves the strip a distance sufficient to place the next consecutive character in the image window. Manipulation should be coordinated with the printing cycle of the copy machine on which the invention is used. Line up may be assured by aligning strip line up indicia 31 with operator base indicia 14. The operating instructions may be printed on the operating base such as shown at in FIG. 2.

The embodiment described heretofore could easily be adapted for other uses. For example, each end of strips 30 could be wound on self-winding reels or rolls attached to operating base 10. The image base could then be used as a visual display in which the numbers, letters or other characters, appearing in the image window 21, 22 could be changed by manipulation from the operating base as heretofore described.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 through 6ae, a mechanized embodiment of the invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a perspective of an assembled unit 40 suitable for use with a copy machine, the top of which is represented by the flat plane 50. The unit comprises an assembly frame 60 which supports a plurality of copy strips 70 by means more fully understood hereafter. The unit 40 may be held in place, for example, over the lens area of a copy machine, by clamp devices 51 at each end thereof. Clamps 51 engage frame 60 through slots 61 and are fastened to the top 50 of the duplicating machine by a wing nut and bolt 52. Of course, it could be fastened or mounted in many different ways.

The unit 40 also comprises a drive shaft 80 which drives the strips 70 in a manner to be more fully understood hereafter. Shaft 80 may receive power from any suitable source, mechanical, electrical or even manual.

For the copy machine application to be described, it is desirable to have the shaft driven by copy machine power. This may be done in many ways. As shown in FIG. 3, the shaft 80 is driven by a gear box 55 con nected thereto through gears (not shown) and coupled to some component (not shown) of the copy machine by gear 56 and chain 57. The turning of shaft 80 should be coordinated with the copy machine printing cycle.

As in the manually operated embodiment, previously described, copy strips are provided with identification characters, consecutive numerals 0" to 9 in this case. These characters could be numbers, letters, words or anything else which would provide identification. However, instead of having two ends, as in the previous case, the strips 70 form a continuous tape or belt so that by continuous movement in one direction the character series will be repeated.

Referring also to FIG. 4, the details of various components will be shown. Drive shaft is mounted on frame 60, which provides bearing surfaces 62, for rotation about an axis parallel with the copy machine top 50. Gear 81 and gear box 55 are arranged in such a way as to rotate shaft 80 in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed from the gear end. The direction of rotation is not important and could be reversed for different identification character arrangements. On shaft 80 are a plurality of cylinders or tape drums 82, 83, 84, 85 and 86, one for each copy strip. Drums 83, 84, 85 and 86 are mounted for free rotation about shaft 81. However, drum 82, the drum corresponding with the base or unit strip 70a is keyed to shaft 81 in any suitable manner and rotates therewith. When shaft 81 and consequently, drum 82 rotate, copy strip or belt 70a rotates therewith. The drive therebetween may be improved by providing a rough surface 82a having a high coefficient of friction.

Mounted on frame 60, parallel to drive shaft 80, is an index shaft 90. Index shaft 90 does not necessarily rotate, but acts as an axis about which other components rotate. Mounted on shaft 90, for rotation thereabout, are a plurality of index spools 91, 92, 93 and 94, one less than the number of copy strips or belts 70 on the unit 40.

Referring also to detailed FIG. 4a, each of these spools comprises a larger diameter cylindrical drive head and a smaller diameter, but longer, cylindrical body 101. At least one end of the spool may be provided with a spoke and hub arrangement 102 to act as a rotating bearing surface. At the approximate longitudinal center of body 101 and at l80 intervals thereabout are provided a pair of slots 103 for mounting a pair of spring dogs 104, 105 in a manner more clearly understood hereafter. Mounted between head 100 and slot 103, for free rotation about body 101 of each spool, are a plurality of cylindrical rollers 11], 112, 113, 114. The internal diameter of each spool head portion 100 is such that it may be telescopically and rotatably placed around the portion of the body 101 between slot 103 and the end of the adjacent index spool. An additional roller is placed over the end of the first index spool 91. An index spool 95 with the head portion removed and another roller 116 mayact as the opposite terminus of the index assembly, as the entire assembly on shaft 90 may be called. The heads 100 of each spool piece may also be provided with a surface of high friction coefficient.

Also, mounted on shaft 90, in a stationary position relative to frame 60, is a spring or dog" depressor 120, the purpose of which is to set the spring dogs 104, 105 in a manner to be shown hereafter. Depressor 120 comprises a depressor blade 121, formed by a longitudinal section of a cylinder, and two mounting supports 122, 123, which have holes for mounting on index shaft 90.

Referring now also to FIG. 5, mounting of the various components and threading of copy strips or belts 70 will be explained. In the FIG. 5, portions of the frame 60, tape drums 82, 83, 84, 85 and copy strips 70 have been broken away for a clearer understanding of the assembly of the complete unit 40.

As can now be seen, the base 65, or image base as it might be called, of frame 60 is provided with parallel slits 66, 67 framing a rectangular area 68 the opposite or bottom side of which may be referred to as the image window. Each copy strip or belt 70 is looped around its respective drum 82-86, fed downwardly through the first slit 66 across the image window and back up through slit 67, around a first guide shaft 72 and a second guide shaft 73. Next it loops around the index assembly. Referring also to FIG. 4 the base or index belt 70a loops around roller 111 and 115, its center lying in the band defined by the edges of rollers 111 and 115 in which springs 104 and 105 are mounted. Each successive belt 70 loops around a roller 1 12, 1 13, 114, 116 and the drive head of its corresponding index spool 91, 92, 93, 94. From there the belts 70 are looped around nnother guide shaft 74 to the point of beginning forming a continuous path.

Drive shaft 80 is connected to its power source in such a manner that it rotates drive drum 82 and moves base belt 70a a distance sufficient to move one character, or number in the illustrative case, out of the image window through slit 67 and a consecutive character, or number, through slit 66 into the image window. This movement is coordinated with the copy machine cycle. Each belt 70 is provided with an aperture 76 located between two adjacent characters in such a manner that when the last character of the series on the belt 70 reaches the image window, the aperture 76 is at a point near the index assembly and ready to engage one of the index dogs 105, 104. Aperture 76 is shown as being located between 0" and 9" for illustration only. Its location would be dependent on the length of the belt and the path traveled, among other things. Since base belt 70a is the only one dnven directly from shaft 80, it is the only one that moves on every copy cycle. At the end of the series of characters on belt 70a the aperture 76 of the base belt 70a is engaged by a dog 105 causing its respective index spool 91 to rotate I80. The head 100 of spool 91 is in engagement with the adjacent belt 70b and the 180 rotation of spool 91 causes the belt 70b to move a distance sufficient to move one character out of the image window, opposite 68, and a consecutive one into the window. The apeerture 76 of base.

belt 70a does not engage another dog 104 until the belt has gone through its entire series again. Then it causes the next belt 70b to advance one more character. Once belt 70b is advanced through its entire series, its aperture 76 also engages a corresponding dog on spool 92 and causes belt 70c to advance one character. The ac tion may be repeated for belts 70d and 70e, each consecutive belt moving only one character each time the preceding belt moves through its entire series. Thus, for the five belts 70a, 70b, 70, 70d and 70e, shown, each with the consecutive number series 0" to 9," a total of 99,999 different identification numbers may be presented in the image window opposite 68 for reproduction by the copy machine to which the unit 40 is attached.

For a better understanding of the opertion of the index assembly, a reference is also made to FIGS. 6a-6e, which represent a cross section through the end of the index assembly which the base belt a engages. As stated before, belt 70a advances one character at a time until its aperture approaches dog 104 of the index assembly. These dogs 104, 105 are shaped in such a manner that the heel of one dog and the toe 124 of the other dog engage slots 103. The heel 125 is clamped to the wall of the index spool body portion 101. The toe 124 is free to move in and out of slot 103 and is biased toward the position shown in FIG. 60. However, as long as belt 70a covers toe 124, it is depressed as shown in FIG. 6a and allows the belt 700 to slide around the dogs 104, 105. When aperture 76 reaches dog 104, as shown in FIG. 6b, the dog 104 springs into engagement with it. Further advancement of belt 70a causes the index spool body 101 and its associated head 100 (see FIG. 4a) to rotate as shown in FIG. 60. The rotation of the spool head 100 drives the adjacent tape or belt 70b. As the belt 70a and index assembly reach the position of FIG. 6d, dog 104 begins to be depressed again by the stationary depressor blade 121. After one hundred eighty degrees rotation, it is fully depressed and disengaged from aperture 76, allowing the belt 70a to continue onward without moving index spool body 101. A small bump, such as 128 and 129 in FIG. 6e, may be provided on each spring 104, 105 to assure that the rotation stops at the precise point. These bumps 128, 129 are small enough that they will not prevent the next cycle from beginning. This rotation corresponds to the distance necessary to advance the adjacent tape 70b one consecutive character or numeral in this case. In the meantime, spring dog 105 has been postioned to engage aperture 76 when it makes another cycle. The same operation is followed consecutively down the line from the base belt 70a and spool 91 to successive belts 70b, 70c, 70d, 70c and spools 92, 93, 95.

As with the manual embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, not only is this unit 40 useful with copy machines, it may also be used for changeable displays, signs, etc.

Although only two embodiments of the invention have been shown in the drawings and described in the specification, many variations thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is not practical to show or describe all such variations. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered illustrative only, and not limiting, the scope of the invention being as broad as is defined by the appended claims. The form of the specification, including the abstract, is adopted solely for easier reading and understanding and should not be considered in interpreting the claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus providing visual sequence identification information for reproduction by a copying machine comprising:

an image base plate suitable for placement over the exposure area of said copying machine and having an image window therein;

an operating base plate connected to said image base plate in such a manner as to leave an available space therebetween;

slidable strip means on which a plurality of characters, representing identification information, is printed in a sequenced series, on one side thereof said strip means having mounting means whereby each of said characters may be sequentially presented in said image window and a portion of said strip means on either side of said image window is slidably mounted in said available space; and elongated aperture means in said operating base plate in alignment with said strip means so that a portion of said strip means may be contacted for manipulation, said aperture means being provided I with alignment indicia cooperating with sequenced alignment indicia on the other side of said strip means so that sequenced registration of said alignment indicia assures sequenced presentation of said characters in said image window, said aperture means being of a length slightly greater than the distance between the alignment indicia thereon as well as in the adjacent alignment indicia on said strip means, permitting thereby uninterrupted movement of said strip means, by contact through said aperture, for the distance between said adjacent indicia.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 19 in which said strip means comprises a plurality of adjacent strips threaded through a row of slits at one end of said operating base and a second row of slits at the other end of said operating base, adjacent slits of each row being parallel to each other but longitudinally staggered and non-joining so as to allow side-by-side installation of said strips.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 20 in which said aperture means comprises a plurality of elongated apertures, one for each strip, through which each of said strips may be contacted for manipulation thereof.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 758 971 Dated September 18 1973 l t Donald R. Tarrant I It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 3, line 3 change "of" to -to.

Column 5, line 30: change "nnother" to -another-. Column 5, line 57 change "apeerture" to aperture-.

Column 8, Claim 2, line 8: change "19'! to --1--.

Column 8, Claim 3, line 16: change "20" to --2.

Signed and sealed this lSthday of January 19m.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. A RENE D. TEGTMEZER Attesting Officer Acting Commissioner of Patents FORM po'wso (w'sg) USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 V UvS GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE I959 0-366-53 

1. Apparatus providing visual sequence identification information for reproduction by a copying machine comprising: an image base plate suitable for placement over the exposure area of said copying machine and having an image window therein; an operating base plate connected to said image base plate in such a manner as to leave an available space therebetween; slidable strip means on which a plurality of characters, representing identification information, is printed in a sequenced series, on one side thereof said strip means having mounting means whereby each of said characters may be sequentially presented in said image window and a portion of said strip means on either side of said image window is slidably mounted in said available space; and elongated aperture means in said operating base plate in alignment with said strip means so that a portion of said strip means may be contacted for manipulation, said aperture means being provided with alignment indicia cooperating with sequenced alignment indicia on the other side of said strip means so that sequenced registration of said alignment indicia assures sequenced presentation of said characters in said image window, said aperture means being of a length slightly greater than the distance between the alignment indicia thereon as well as in the adjacent alignment indicia on said strip means, permitting thereby uninterrupted movement of said strip means, by contact through said aperture, for the distance between said adjacent indicia.
 2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 19 in which said strip means comprises a plurality of adjacent strips threaded through a row of slits at one end of said operating base and a second row of slits at the other end of said operating base, adjacent slits of each row being parallel to each other but longitudinally staggered and non-joining so as to allow side-by-side installation of said strIps.
 3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 20 in which said aperture means comprises a plurality of elongated apertures, one for each strip, through which each of said strips may be contacted for manipulation thereof. 